becoming a tennis player, part 1

It all started when a neighbor relayed that she was signing her son up for tennis lessons with the county at a nearby park. It was four, one-hour Saturdays with a group of kids in his age group for the crazy low price of just $36 american dollars! We were sold — our oldest was signed up by the end of the week and I set out to figure out what kind of racquet and ball to get her.

• NOTE: There are different racquet sizes and ball pressures for different ages! My daughter is 4, so we got her the Head Speed 21” Junior Racquet and the RED Franklin Sports tennis balls.

A couple of weeks into watching the organized chaos of her lessons, I learned there was adult beginner lessons available at the same location — 8 weeks for $72! I was in — signed up online and set out to figure out what kind of racquet I would need.

• NOTE: So far, I’ve learned there are different size heads and grips for adult racquets. I went to the local Play It Again Sports and found a used Babolat Pure Drive with a 4.5” grip (apparently, I have a giant hand for a woman) for about $45.

I had to miss the first week because of parenting duties, but showed up for the second week, wearing my complete lack of experience on my proverbial sleeve. I learned where the baseline and service line are. I learned the very basics of grips — Continental, forehand, and backhand. My second lesson was more of the same, but we added volleys and played a quick game of King of the Court. My third lesson, we did all the aforementioned, but added ball tosses and overhand serving. Holy cow, talk about HARD (and hard on my lack of shoulder muscles)!

I am NOT GOOD at this sport, yet. But, I do kind of love it. It’s so much fun. And, letting myself suck at something and still enjoy the being part of it and learning? It’s a new and, dare I say, enjoyable experience. I am not too old to be a beginner. Neither are YOU.

lyrics and life lessons

I’ve always loved Country music.

I can’t say it’s the only genre I’ve listened to (I did have that unfortunate foray into CCM in the early 2000’s, followed almost immediately by a pendulum swing into emo and classic rock), but it’s been my go-to since the early 90’s and my mom’s cassette tapes.

I like the storytelling. The talent. The little bit of patriotism and faith that peppers it. The fact that lyrics typically favor romance and beer over promiscuity and drugs …

I guess it’s also the subculture (or, at least, musical genre) to which I can best relate. Can’t say I like to/want to hunt animals for sport. And I’m not likely to ever own a tractor or anything bigger than a backyard hobby garden. But I do prefer wide, open spaces and beautiful trees over cement and city any day. I’ll always choose a backyard or boat hang over a bar or indoor amusement park. I’m not parked in front of the TV for college football like it’s religion, but I get it and respect it. ‘Cause here’s the thing - country music normalizes a simpler life. A pushing toward the stuff that really matters - family, friends, love and living life to the full … the lyrics proclaim those values, as well as the things, people, and processes that re-center us there.

That’s why I think I’ve been so welcoming of my oldest’s CONSTANT questions about the songs she hears. She is forever asking me some variation of “What’s [the singer] talking about?” …. and BECAUSE country music has a value system I can (mostly) align with, I’m able to have educational and life-giving conversations with my girl nearly each and every time a song wraps. It’s been the coolest. In developmentally appropriate ways, we’ve talked about working hard and responsibility and being treated like a queen by the kind of guy that would be worth her time and energy. We’ve talked about how God makes beautiful things and how hard stuff happens. We’ve talked about the meaning of perspective and how having a good attitude can change an experience. We’ve talked about alcoholism and cuss words. We’ve talked about what it means to be kind and grateful and generous, beautiful, confident and powerful. And the list goes on …

Curious: What are your kids learning from the music they’re hearing?

never too old to be interested

Back in my twenties, I had this idea for a blog that would have been, essentially, a beginner’s guide to various hobbies. At the time, I was actively engaged in several “new to me” subcultures: long distance running, indoor rock climbing, and road cycling. I was learning (and fascinated by) all the relevant lingo, nuances of equipment, and the validity of relevant resources. There was SO much to learn and explore … and I had the theory that THAT reality might be a barrier to entry for others (as insecurity and fear is often a stumbling block for us humans). So, my idea was to be a wealth of information for beginners - a confidence building inroad into various subcultures for my readers. The idea just never went beyond a shower contemplation.

Now in my forties, I find myself returning to the idea. I’ve found myself returning to horseback riding as my oldest daughter is taking English lessons and I contemplate joining her (I’m only barely versed in Western riding). I start a beginner (group) tennis lesson course in a couple of weeks. And, I’ve been dabbling in painting (both watercolor and abstract acrylics) in recent months. Additionally, I’m fast approaching the start of homeschooling my girls. Maybe these various activities (and the community that surrounds them) could be a writing outlet for me and become valuable input for those interested in similar? Maybe.

So, let’s see …

LOVE.

Currently playing: Lots of RaeLynn

Currently reading: just downloaded “Mother Brain” by Chelsea Conaboy